1999 Pontiac Sunfire - PP & Mobil 1 Filter

[blackdiamond]

On Sunday I changed the oil in my sister-in-law's 1999 Pontiac Sunfire (2.2L) with 209,000+. It doesn't seem to leak or burn oil which amazes me. When she first moved to the area I had her take it to Sears and have them use Castrol HM 5w-30 oil. That OCI was a little over 5,000 mi. I used a Mobil 1 Extended Performance filter so that I could do a 2nd oil change without changing the filter. I had heard that it was a pain to reach (turns out it wasn't too bad) and was trying to make things easier. I used PP 5w-30 because it seems to be the cheapest synthetic.

I am planning for a 6,000 mile OCI, then doing a "drain & fill" and then going another 4,000-6,000 miles prior to a full oil and filter change. The car is used for mixed driving. Any recommendations or thoughts?

Note: I had no idea what the previous history is other than it was likely conventional Walmart changes since she got the car with just under 100,000 miles on the clock.

 

[mitchcoyote]

I would never skip changing the filter...

 

[CBDFrontier06]

x2. I wouldn't dream of paying good money for synthetic oil and then run it through a dirty filter. Otherwise, I think you're doing a good thing for an old soldier.

 

[Tempest]

I say go for it. I plan to do the exact same thing with my cars except with Eao filters.

 

[06VtecV6]

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I would never skip changing the filter...

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Never say never, if you are doing multiple D&Fs for ATF, you *can* skip the filter without hesitation and with impunity.

 

[turbomazda]

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I would never skip changing the filter...

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Never say never, if you are doing multiple D&Fs for ATF, you *can* skip the filter without hesitation and with impunity.

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i know what hesitation is, its what im not getting by running PP but i have to idea what impunity means?.

 

[55Test]

I've got a 96 Sunfire with the 2.2, it makes at least 2 different, distinctive noises based on RPM's and temperature. I'm using Maxlife synthetic 10w30 and a QS oil filter. So far, in the past 4 months it's used less than a half quart of oil and I'm not exactly easy on the ol' thing. It still gets 30-32 average mpg. Best 500 bucks I ever spent!

 

[Cutehumor]

with mine, I had oil leaks from the valve cover and rear main seal. currently, just the rear main seal. 1qt/3000 miles. but so far with the 15w40..0 with 600 miles on the oil.

 

[06VtecV6]

Quote:

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Quote:

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Quote:

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I would never skip changing the filter...

---

Never say never, if you are doing multiple D&Fs for ATF, you *can* skip the filter without hesitation and with impunity.

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i know what hesitation is, its what im not getting by running PP but i have to idea what impunity means?.

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ok seriously

im·pu·ni·ty Pronunciation[im-pyoo-ni-tee]
–noun

1. exemption from punishment.
2. immunity from detrimental effects, as of an action.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/impunity

 

[blackdiamond]

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x2. I wouldn't dream of paying good money for synthetic oil and then run it through a dirty filter. Otherwise, I think you're doing a good thing for an old soldier.

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If the filter will hold twice as much garbage as a stock one, then isn't it a waste to throw it away after a normal OCI? It seems that it could only be a problem if it gets full. I would agree that new oil and filter is the sure fire way to do it, but...

 

[CBDFrontier06]

Whether it's full of garbage or not is only half the story for me. The filter holds dirty, additive-depleted oil that's just going to get mixed in with my new $6 per quart oil. That idea doesn't thrill me. There's nothing I can do about what's sitting in the oil pump, but since there is something I can do about old oil sitting in the filter, I'd just as soon buy cheaper (OEM) filters and change it every time. At $5 - $6 a piece, the filter costs a fraction of what my oil costs so leaving it on there wouldn't make me feel like I'm saving anything.

 

[blackdiamond]

A quick update - My sister-in-law is about 3,000 miles into the Pennzoil Platinum/Mobil1 filter OCI and she told me today that she thinks her fuel mileage is a little bit better than before on conventional. I know she doesn't actually track the numbers, but something "significant" must be happening for her to even think to notice the change. I told her that it was a possibility, but not really expected. The bottom line is that the oil choice has been successful for her.

 

[blackdiamond]

Last night I changed the oil on my sister-in-laws car for the 2nd time. This time I used Pennzoil Platinum 10w-30 with an oversize WIX filter. I called WIX and they gave me the part number for the larger version of the filter I needed. It fit great and I'm running 5 quarts rather than the specified 4 quarts. There were no problems with 4.5 quarts on the last fill so with the larger filter I just used the entire container.